A meeting was held on Monday, at the British Coffeehouse,
to petition Parliament to take measures for putting an end to the mono- poly of the great coal-owners in the North of England. Mr. Hume presided; and the meeting was addressed by Mr. Devear, Mr. Henry Bulwer, Mr. Buckingham, and Mr. Gully. The last-named gentle- man said-
He was, against his will, one of those monopolists of which the meeting sornplained. For years he bad been trying to break up this monopoly ; and, Ma coal-owner, he simply rose to disclaim being connected with this monopoly. Be trusted that if the trade were thrown open, the consumer, instead of being supplied with two-thirds of the ioferior coals, would be served with two-thirds of the best, at a reduced price.
A gentleman whose name is not given, recommended the inhabi- tants of London to look at home before they attacked the coal-owners. The duties and other charges upon coal entering the port of London, raised the price to treble that which the coal-owners charged. [ The fact seems to be, that before the price of coal is much reduced, there must be a reform of the London Corporation. The coal which is charged at 7s. a ton at the pit's mouth, by various impositions, is made to cost 30s. to 32s. to the London consumer.]
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